FYI - when your kite ends up in Washington...

jajohn · Since 04 Sep 2007 25 Posts

For anyone else this may happen to... I was kiting in HR around 6pm and dropped my kite in the middle of the Columbia and figured I'd end my sesh with a self-rescue... so I pulled my chicken loop release (thinking the kite would flag out and I'd follow that line up to the kite) but the kite immediately started pulling me up river like it was powering up. I started to get nervous because it looked like it was going to take off (or tow me to the bridge) but I couldn't reach the bar now. I tried to get a look at the bar but couldn't make out what happened, so barely grabbing the red leash handle, the kite separated and took off, making a b-line for Washington. When I got back to the spit, another kiter told me "no prob, just drive across to 'Barzo Beach,' and walk down river and get it. See, it's waiting there for you now." Well, I drove across, and (this is the point I want to make) there is no access to get a kite in Washington. There is a indian/tribal boat launch, and a what seems to be a plant nursery with "NO TRESSPASSING" signs. I snuck through the nursery, and tried to hike in flip-flops along the rocky shore, but if you're kite isn't 200 yards down from that boat launch, fuh-get about it! I came across a stinking rotting deer (apparently hit by the train and knocked down the rocks) and finally had to give up and climb up the rock bank (wall) to the train tracks. Then I find out Union Pacific or whoever has electric fencing on the north side of the tracks - so now I'm running in flip-flops along railroad ties with an electric fence on one side and rock cliff on the other and suddenly 'Stand by Me' comes to mind. Anyway, I'd like to give a shout out to a guy named Rob from Tri-cities who totally hooked me up with a ride to my kite (from Oregon side) and back. He runs a fishing charter biz and has a dark red 16'+ aluminum boat. He mentioned he had helped out some other kiters before with the same issues. I tried to pay him for the gas and time, but he wouldn't have it - super cool. So, if anyone knows Rob, pm me 'cause I'd like to send him some beer money still. And, the moral of this story kids is when your kite lands in WA, find someone with a boat or a ski and pass on the all the deadly hijinks I encountered. Any advice on the self-rescue gone wrong appreciated too. Sorry in advance for the Bulae99 length post.

NateDogg · Tue Aug 12, 08 11:23 pm

Good story!

Sounds like with the leash you might have accidentally clipped either into both rings or the wrong ring right where your flagging ring meets the kite bar ring. When this happens and you release your chicken loop it causes the kite to death spin at full power, since the bar is kept from sliding up the line. Just my hypothesis though, could have had a messed up/broken bar too.

Haha, and the name of the beach is "Bozo Beach", not Barzo.

No worries though, I ended up on Bozo my very first time at the sand bar back in the day. Too powered on a 10 Fuel and had to self rescue to that beach and kindly ask the owner of the nursery for a ride back to Oregon. Needless to say I was stoked to be back in OR without having to swim, and he was stoked on a free tank of gas for the trouble.

Bettyboarder · Wed Aug 13, 08 6:25 am

Great Story... I have picked up a few kites from there with the jetski for people... it's a nasty beach...lots of rocks when you come in and barb wire under the water...glad you got your kite back.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Yeah, glad everything turned out OK.

Rotting dears, barb wires, train tracks, electric fences, cool dudes in boats, lots of rocks, beer money - yeah good story Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Wow, all i ever got on the washington side was a ride in a Suub and some hot tub action

- electric fence, rolling thunder, forbidden indian burial grounds and rotting carcasses - dude you rock!!

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Mark · Wed Aug 13, 08 8:15 am